Hindutva: The Core Identity Beyond Language, Region, and Subversion.

Hindutva is the real identity, not the language: Nitesh Rane’s warning to those who intend to support Ghazwa-e-Hind, said- ‘Will answer brick with stone’.

In the ‘Sushasan Samvad’ in Bhubaneswar, Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane gave his frank opinion on Hindutva, Marathi identity, love jihad, and Ghazwa-e-Hind. Here is the interview of Rane,  captured by Trupti Srivastava, Panchjanya’s Associate Editor.

Upendra Bharti | HENB | New Delhi | July 29, 2025:: In the series of dialogues, ‘Sushasan Samvad’, the episode of ‘Odisha Ki Udaan’, conceptualized by ‘Panchjanya’ on the new role of Odisha, which is rapidly emerging in India’s good governance model, was organized on July 28, 2025, at Taj Vivanta, Bhubaneswar. In the fifth session of the program “Tevar, Tark aur Tarakki”, Panchjanya’s Associate Editor Trupti Srivastava spoke to Maharashtra Government’s Cabinet Minister (Port Development Ministry) Nitesh Narayan Rane.

Question on language and identity

If you are in Odisha, will you talk in Marathi or Oriya or Hindi?

Nitesh Rane – First of all, before being a Marathi, I am a Hindu and hence I have my identity in this Hindu nation. Wherever I go, I have no problem speaking in Hindi.

Marathi identity or political existence?

Some people in Maharashtra have made Marathi language a question of Marathi identity. According to you, is it a question of identity or political existence of some people?

Nitesh Rane – If you come to Maharashtra, you should know Marathi; there is nothing wrong with it. But if under its guise you try to divide Hindus or target only Hindus, then neither our Maharashtra government will tolerate it nor Hindutvaists like us. We know very well how to answer brick with stone.

If you have the courage to show the power of Marathi, then why don’t you go to a Muslim locality and say that Marathi should be learned there? Why don’t you say that tomorrow’s Azaan should be in Marathi? If all the masculinity is to be shown only on Hindus and one has to go to Muslim localities and roam around like a cat – then this will not work. I think this is a big conspiracy to divide Hindus, and we oppose this as Hindus along with the Maharashtra government.

The Thackeray family and the politics of Hindutva

Pointing to the Thackeray family, you will say that the elders of the two brothers who are standing together today used to talk about Hindutva, then why this selective politics about the Hindi language? Why don’t they go to the localities you are talking about?

Nitesh Rane – If you are talking about Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray ji, then his point is different. The Thackeray brand grew because of Hindutva and Hindu festivals. When he distanced himself from Hindutva, only then questions started being raised. The two brothers you are talking about – just a few months ago, assembly elections were held in Maharashtra, and the people gave only 20 MLAs to one and zero to the other. This clearly shows what is in the minds of the people of Maharashtra.

And the way they have started anti-Hindutva politics – whether it is questioning the Maha Kumbh or the sloganeering of “Allah Hu Akbar” and waving of the Pakistan flag in the Vijay Rally of their supporters – all this is against Hindutva.

So, this language politics is actually a conspiracy to divide Hindus. The Prime Minister had rightly said, “Ek Hai Toh Safe Hai.” The more we Hindus remain united, the more strongly we will be able to counter the Islamic Jihadi attack.

Stance on Marathi Manush Politics

The Thackeray brothers talk about raising the voice of Marathi Manush. You yourself are in Maharashtra politics and have seen politics since childhood. Your father was also in Shiv Sena and then Congress. Has the politics of Marathi Manush really become completely based on language?

Nitesh Rane – If they (Thackeray brothers) listen to the voice of Marathi Manush, then where is our voice coming from? Marathi Manush have also voted for us. It is because of their votes that I have become an MLA and then a Minister.

Today, our state government is in power with a huge majority, and this has been possible due to the voting of Hindus. I proudly say that if I am sitting here as an MLA and Minister, it is only because of the Hindus of Maharashtra. I did not go to any other locality and ask for votes…

Our view is clear – and that is that the unity of Hindutva is our biggest strength.

Question on the safety of people coming from outside in Maharashtra

Your view is clear, but your party is in power in Maharashtra. Mumbai is a metropolitan city, and people from outside have always come here in search of employment. In the atmosphere that is being created today, do you think that with your party in power, people should fear that if they do not speak Marathi, they will be thrown out? Or will there be discrimination against people from UP and Bihar? Will they be safe?

Nitesh Rane – The state government is led by our respected Chief Minister Devendra Ji. Our government is a Hindutva government. With our government in power, no Hindu needs to worry in Maharashtra. We know how to deal with the people in front of us.

The government will do its work. If someone does not understand the government language, we also know how to talk in a different way. But in our Hindu nation, on the land of Maharashtra, we will not allow anyone to look at any Hindu with evil eyes, nor will we allow this to happen. We know that under Ghazwa-e-Hind, some people want to make India an Islamic nation and want to spread jihad in Maharashtra. If their language and intentions remain the same, they will be dealt with strictly.

Ghazwa-e-Hind and the issue of infiltration

You talked about Ghazwa-e-Hind. Today, Bangladeshis and Rohingyas are spreading rapidly illegally in border states, be it West Bengal or Uttarakhand. SIR is going on in Bihar too, and the matter is in court regarding the revision action of the Election Commission. Is Maharashtra also facing such a problem, and if yes, what is your view on how to deal with it?

Nitesh Rane – The problem is everywhere. Their goal is to make India an Islamic nation by 2047. These people are doing this in different ways – sometimes love jihad, sometimes land jihad, and sometimes Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltration. Initially, they come forward as friends, start doing small jobs, and then gradually become owners. Their aim is to spread their influence everywhere.

Nowadays, they start working by changing their names too. For example, there will be a flower shop outside a temple, the name of the shop will be “Jai Shri Ram Flower Wala,” but Abdul will be sitting inside. Such people will have to be asked to either show their Aadhaar card or Voting ID. If they don’t show it, then we should not buy from them, because this money is used for jihad. Therefore, it will have to be decided that purchases should be made only from Hindus. Economic boycott is very important. If we create this situation, then these infiltrators will go back to Bangladesh or Pakistan.

Stand on Kanwar Yatra and Secular Politics

Kanwar Yatra is going on right now. There, the Uttar Pradesh government told the shopkeepers to write their real names. But secular and so-called liberal people say that this is a discriminatory attitude. What do you say?

Nitesh Rane – This tape recorder named “secular” plays only against Hindus. The word “secular” was not there in the original constitution draft of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Congress added it later. Our country is a Hindu nation. 90% of the people here are Hindus. If we accept this, most of our problems will end.

During festivals—be it Navratri or Diwali—we should shop wisely. If the money of Hindu society goes into the pockets of Hindus, the country will be strong. But if we give money to those who do jihad, then the same people will try to make India an Islamic nation with our money. This thing is very clear and simple.

Aurangzeb’s tomb and glorification of Mughals in history

There was a controversy in Maharashtra over Aurangzeb’s tomb. Now changes are being made in our NCERT books as well, where earlier Mughals were glorified by left historians. Now attempts are being made to change these things. What do you think? Were Maratha heroes or other brave heroes of the country deliberately erased from history to promote Mughals? And how important is this step?

Nitesh Rane – Why should the question be raised as to why we should read about Mughals? We call him Aurangya, not Aurangzeb. There is no need to give him respect.

We call Tipu Sultan Tipya. There is no need to give him so much respect either. What benefits did we get from them?

It would be better if our kings—Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, and others—who made our history, are glorified. Swarajya was established for Hindus. Many people say that Shivaji Maharaj had Muslims in his army, so it was not a Hindu vs. Muslim battle. But the truth is that Shivaji Maharaj’s battle was to protect the existence of Hindus because the Mughals were breaking temples and erasing the traces of Hindus.

This is the correct history, and it should reach our children.

Double engine government and development of Maharashtra

It is said that when there is a double engine government, development happens rapidly. But when the Uddhav Thackeray government was there and he formed an alliance with the Congress, then controversies came up continuously. Now, after the change of government, what changes do you see?

Nitesh Rane – Development is happening rapidly in Maharashtra. Development is going on at a rapid pace under the leadership of our respected Chief Minister Devendra Ji and both Deputy CMs. The country’s largest boat port is coming in Palghar district of Maharashtra, due to which our country will be included in the top 5 list of the world in this sector.

Similarly, with decisions like marine security and giving agricultural status to fisheries, fishermen are also getting facilities like farmers. We also have a strong policy of ship repair. We are working towards implementing some schemes of Odisha in Maharashtra and some schemes of Maharashtra in Odisha. In this way, with mutual dialogue and cooperation, our Hindu nation will become Vishwaguru under the leadership of Narendra Modi ji.

Maharashtra-Odisha cooperation in Blue Economy

Odisha is on the path of development, and so is Maharashtra. What are the possibilities if both states cooperate in the field of Blue Economy?

Nitesh Rane – Odisha has made very good plans for its fishermen. We are looking at how they can be implemented in Maharashtra. Similarly, Odisha can also benefit from the facilities available in Maharashtra. Like I said, Odisha is a progressive and developed state, and under the leadership of our Chief Minister, Maharashtra will also move shoulder to shoulder towards development.

Difference between BJP and Congress

You were earlier in Congress. If you compare both the parties, what difference do you find from a democratic point of view or in terms of leadership of the youth?

Nitesh Rane – The biggest difference is that the Bharatiya Janata Party is a party of workers and runs on the strength of workers. All the projects implemented in our government are based on the suggestions of workers and their experiences at the ground level. This work is possible only in the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The situation is completely opposite in the Congress. Work does not happen until Rahul Gandhi returns from abroad and the matter reaches his ears. My father worked for Hindutva for 39 years. Because of Uddhav Thackeray, we had to stay away for some time, but now we have had a strong homecoming with the BJP.

Opportunities and responsibilities to the youth

How do the youth get opportunities in the BJP? Do they have to carry both ideology and development together?

Nitesh Rane – If we have to make our country great, then the youth will have to take responsibility. Not just by commenting on social media, but we have to work sitting on the chair of decision. A party like BJP gives platform to the youth. Our state president has been elected in Maharashtra. The same atmosphere exists in Orissa.

Our Prime Minister is taking the country forward and it is the duty of the youth to strengthen the Hindu nation. I tell every youth that whatever you do, do not leave your saffron. The youth will have to do the work of stopping jihad in the name of Islam. Wherever needed, we have to pick up the pen, and wherever needed, we have to pick up the sword, because it is justified in our religion to pick up arms to protect religion. If any love jihadi looks at our sister or daughter with dirty eyes, then every Hindu brother will have to stand up and protect them.

Love Jihad: Myth or truth..?

Secular and liberal people say that love jihad is a myth, while many statistics come to the fore. What do you say..?

Nitesh Rane – Recently, the case of Changur Maulvi has come to light in UP. Those who say that nothing like this happens are turning away from the truth. Attempts are being made to convert Hindu sisters in the name of false love and marriage. If they are converted by deceiving them in the name of marriage and are tortured, then this is love jihad and it is everyone’s duty to stand against it. Good anti-conversion laws have been implemented in states like Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. Soon such a law is going to come in Maharashtra too. It is our responsibility to stand against it.

Definition of Love Jihad Law

How will you define the law of Love Jihad?

Nitesh Rane – No one has any objection to marrying someone, but hiding the name and identity is wrong. Many times before marriage, the boy tells his name as Ashish and later it is known that he is Abdul. This is cheating. If you want to get married, then it should be done honestly. There is no need for conversion.

Love Jihad is a part of the conspiracy to make the country an Islamic nation. Therefore, it is important to be cautious. Our Hindu sisters also have to be careful. When you sit together during Navratri or Dandiya, check whether the person in front of you is really a Hindu or not. Aadhar card and voting card should be checked. Such people should not be given permission, because all this is part of the conspiracy.

Love Jihad: The biggest problem of the country

It is said that communal harmony is deteriorating, but how important is it from the security point of view..? Do the figures confirm this..?

Nitesh Rane – When our Hindutva activists meet our sisters, who have become victims of love jihad, and listen to their painful stories, they come to know that their whole life is ruined. That is why, leaving aside everything else, we consider love jihad to be the biggest problem of the country and we will have to take a stand against it.

Language controversy and the question of harmony

What should be done to maintain language harmony?

Nitesh Rane – Some people raise this controversy to make it an election issue because BMC elections are coming in Maharashtra. The two brothers you mentioned need such issues for their existence. But our entire Maharashtra and Mumbai have always been together. People of Marathi and other languages have good communication and relations.

When this controversy happened, many Marathi people also said that Hindus should not be divided in this way. It is only a perception that there is a lot of trouble, while the ground reality is different.

Today, Operation Sindoor was discussed in Parliament. When terrorists attacked in Pahalgam, they neither looked at language nor caste; they only asked if people were Hindus and then shot them. Therefore, instead of getting caught in these controversies, we have to remain united as Hindus.

BMC elections and Hindu unity

BMC elections are going to be held in Mumbai. Will the controversies affect them there?

Nitesh Rane – Everyone knows the situation after the 1993 bomb blasts in Mumbai. But the role played by Balasaheb Thackeray gave confidence to Hindus. Everyone says that the Hindus of Mumbai are alive only because of Balasaheb Thackeray. Now the influence of Hindus has increased in Mumbai.

We should see what is happening in London and New York. Due to wrong elections there, today the third woman is roaming around in hijab. If any Abdul or Sheikh becomes the mayor in Mumbai too, then the entire calculation of our economic capital will be spoiled.

New generation and trust in security

In the 90s, Mumbai witnessed bomb blasts and terror attacks like 26/11. But the situation has changed in the last 10–12 years.

Nitesh Rane – The entire credit for this goes to our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and Home Minister Amit Shah ji. Earlier, bomb blasts or attacks like 26/11 had become a common thing. But today, in Modi ji’s government, no one dares to do 20 types of planning.

Today, the methods of doing jihad have changed. Some do halal jihad, some land jihad, and some target youth through video games. We have to keep a close eye on these new tactics and study them in depth. Only then will we be able to stop them.

Establishment of Swabhiman Organisation

When you were young, you formed Swabhiman Organisation. What was the purpose of Swabhiman Organisation?

Nitesh Rane – I think our biggest achievement was that we created a world record for providing the maximum number of jobs in a day. 25,300 appointments were made that day, and appointment letters were also distributed on the same day. We did many such works for society, which brought positive changes.

(To be concluded in Part – II….)

Courtesy: Panchjanya. (Translated into English from Hindi original through Google Translate)